A grieving father today lost his bid to bring a private prosecution against the owner of a vehicle recovery firm and a colleague who he accused of stealing the motorbike on which his son was killed.

Thomas Killoran, 47, from Manchester, had launched a civil action against John Wall, of Penylan Road, Bassaleg, south Wales, and Mark Guest, of Richmond Road, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran, south Wales, alleging they had stolen the Yamaha machine.

The pair both pleaded not guilty to theft at Cwmbran Magistrates Court today. Guest also pleaded not guilty to handling stolen goods.

The motorbike was recovered by Wall's Truck Services at the scene of the accident where Mr Killoran's 25-year-old son Anthony was killed in Newport, south Wales, in September 1995.

Mr Killoran alleges it was not returned to him and he reported the theft of the bike to the police in 1997. The Crown Prosecution Service decided not to take any further action following an investigation by Gwent Police.

He started private prosecution proceedings last year, but today District Judge Gill Watkins ruled that the delay in time would "seriously prejudice" the case.

After the case, Mr Killoran said he was "disgusted" and pledged to appeal against the decision.

Mr Wall said he was relieved and pleased with the outcome because it was what he had expected.